Anyone going to NZ in November? Would love to chat. Or has anyone done the trip already and would like to share the experience.

I am not really looking forward to the long flight. Not sure I can sit still for that long. Any tips anyone?

This if my first trip alone and my dream location. Cannot wait for November!

Liz

I'm going to NZ on 01.11.07. It's the first time I've been away on my own - so I'm a bit apprehensive, but very excited.

I'm also a bit concerned about the long flight so took some advice and upgraded to premier economy. It has added quite a chunk to the cost, but as this is a holiday of a lifetime & I'm celebrating my early retirement I thought I'd go for it!

As I live in Derbyshire I've also booked for the pre holiday get together so I could meet some fellow travellers before arriving at the airport.

It would be good to chat before November & perhaps exchange ideas of what to take etc.

Megan

I was beginning to think I was the only one going on this holiday!

I to am staying overnight before the flight and look forward to meeting you.

Very interested that you are upgrading to premium economy I hope you do not mind me asking but how much does this cost? I am really worried about sitting in such a small seat for such a long time. An upgrade may be the solution. I could cope if I was having a stop over half way but i did not want to lose any time in NZ.

It would be great to email you directly but I did not want to put my address on such a public forum. But if any of the Just You people are reading this I would be quite happy if they gave you my email address.

Regards

Liz

I travelled from LHR to Australia this June Via Singapore I must admit this was not with JY, my flight was with BA and I was able to go on line to there website 24 hrs before take off and choose my seat, I choose Aisle seat going out I absolutley dreaded this flight to be honest it was not as bad as I thought it would be, so much food, and I watched the films and I also invested in an I Pod Music system which my children uploaded music onto and showed me how to use it... I am 48 !!!!!! which was good also I took along a good couple of novels to loose my self in oh and of course SLEEP as much as you can and wander around the plane.....On the way back I choose the emergency exit seats so lots of leg room but near the toilets !!!I dont know if you can go on line and pick your seat but it might be worth having a word with JY or asking on the boards maybe....... I hope you have a great holiday...

Thank goodness there's 2 of us on this holiday! - Is no one else joining us! The upgrade to premium economy cost £935.00 - a considerable amount but as this is a once in a lifetime trip & celebration of my early retirement my son persuaded me to go for it.

I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone I know who's been to NZ says it's amazing. I've bought a couple of guidebooks - I haven't read them in any detail yet, but just keep dipping in.

Yes I agree it would be good to email each other, but was also reluctant to put my address openly on this forum. As you said I would be quite happy for Just You to forward my address to you.

I'm glad you're also staying the night before and look forward to meeting you then.

All the best

Megan

I see from your post that we have a tour guide. So its just the two of us then?

I have read loads of books and watched dvds and so forth. Possibly too much but i wanted to make sure that when we have free time I have an idea of what there is to do.

I do hope we get the chance to go whale watching in kaikoura and i feel i must go white water rafting. Did i really type that! never done anything like this before but I intend to try most things. Just hope i dont bottle out. I draw the line at jumping off bridges or off the top of that tower in Auckland. But would love to watch someone else do it.

Its not long now.

Liz

It's getting closer and closer! Only 9 weeks to go!

Several people I know have been to NZ and listening to them and looking at their photos, I know we're going to have a great time! Like you I'm excited about doing as many of the extra things as possible - even though I've never done anything like this before either, after all we will probably never go again. But definitely no bungy jumping!

I've been spending more time with the guide books especially reading up on places where we will have free time. My brother is very interested in the Antarctic and he has heard about the 'International Antarctic Centre' in Christchurch, so I may try to visit there just to send him a postcard!

I'm sure there must be more than 2 of us on this tour - otherwise we'll have the tour manager to ourselves!

Initially I was going to drive down from Derbyshire to Heathrow on 31st Oct and leave my car at the hotel for car parking, but my son has arranged to take me and collect me as he's concerned about me driving home after a 24 hr flight. Have you got far to travel?

Looking forward to meeting up in 9 weeks.

Megan

Have just been checking out my suitcases after reading all the information on Air NZ website re. checked and cabin luggage. I now have a case that is too big and one too small! I do not really want to carry 2 bags. So I am off to buy a large, lightweight case which does not equal more than 62"s in total. I have solved the what to pack problem. Get out everything you think you just cannot do without and then put half of it back in the wardrobe. Easy really!

Megan you are really lucky having your son to take you to the airport I cannot decide whether to take the bus and get there far too early or splash out on a taxi.

Well, not long now

Liz

Only 5 weeks to go!

I too have treated myself to a new case a bit like you had one too small and one too large and heavy. I've just looked at the weather in Auckland and Wellington and it's getting warm. I looked a couple of weeks ago and it seemed to be rather chilly, but I'm sure in 5 weeks time it will be comfortably warm - lets hope so.

Whenever I go away I always take too many clothes so will have to try to be really strict with myself.

I should splash out on a taxi, Lynn. After all I always think your holiday starts as you lock the front door!

See you in 5 weeks

Megan